Independent candidate arrested after clash in Meerut

Meerut, Apr 15 (UNI) Independent candidate from Meerut City assembly constituency Ayub Ansari and two of his aides were today arrested after last night's clash between his supporters and those of the Samjwadi party candidate Dilshad 'Munna'.

Several people, including women, were injured in the clash and have been hospitalised.

Police faced some resistance while making the arrests as a mob hurled stones at them, forcing them to resort to a lathi-charge to clear the area. After the arrests, additional police force was deployed in the area as a preventive measure.

According to the police, the trouble sparked off when supporters of Ansari tried to stop a relative of the SP candidate last night.

The verbal spat soon snowballed into a clash with supporters of both congentrating at the spot and engaging in brickbatting.

The clash created panic in the area with all the shops still open hurriedly downing their shutters. Police rushed to the spot and had to resort to repeated lathi-charges to disperse the mobs. Efforts, till late last night, to make the warring groups arrive at a compromise to the issue failed.

SP activists gheraoed the SSP this afternoon, seeking action against Ansari, following which he was arrested. SSP Dipesh Juneja told mediapersons here that raids were on to nab the others responsible.

UNI